asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that in Co. Cork much hardship has been caused by the delay in certifying the accounts of claimants to unemployment benefit, and if he will state what are the arrangements at Headquarters of the Ministry for the certification of such accounts.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT IN CO. CORK.
It is a fact that in some of the Employment Exchanges a few weeks' delay in dealing with claims occurred at the beginning of the new Benefit Year on October 17th last, when, in accordance with the provisions of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1923, the accounts of every individual insured contributor had to be balanced so as to ascertain the number of contributions to his credit upon which his rights to benefit depend. Some delay, therefore, was inevitable, but the work was completed in three weeks.
Mr. MURPHY
Arising out of that answer, is the Minister aware that many claims lodged on the 17th October are not yet to hand, and will he take steps to expedite the settlement or certification of them?
Mr. HOGAN
I will bring to the Minister's notice what the Deputy says.